From hosting guests to kids grabbing after school snacks to doggos lapping up scraps, the kitchen is the heart of the household. We all spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and might as well enjoy it! Remodeling your kitchen is a fantastic way to reinvigorate your living space. However, a complete kitchen remodel can get rather pricey, especially when you start moving electrical, gas, or plumbing lines. Here are some budget-friendly ways to remodel your St. Louis kitchen without changing the footprint.

Update the Counters

A person’s eye is naturally drawn to a kitchen’s counters. They are the accent that brings the aesthetics of the entire room together.  As beautiful as a counter should be, it also must be functional. Updating counters with natural materials like quartz, marble, and granite are growing kitchen trends in St. Louis. Not only do they look beautiful, but they are highly resistant to heat and knives.

Speaking of knives, many St. Louis homeowners are also giving their kitchens a farm-to-table vibe. They’re swapping out laminate and tile counters for natural wood and butcher blocks. 

Install A New Backsplash

An updated backsplash could be the splash of “something new” that your kitchen might just be missing. Backsplashes are an opportunity to have fun. They’re less in the limelight than counters or appliances. However, they can still capture an eye. That’s why many homeowners use backsplashes as an opportunity to add texture to the room. 

Much like counters, backsplashes are more than for show. They can also be a source of light underneath cabinets that cast shadows over your workspace. One of the hottest kitchen trends this year is light-colored backsplashes. These surfaces reflect natural and overhead light in the direction where you are working to improve seeing conditions. Your fingers dicing garlic will thank you! 

Paint Cabinets 

Sometimes all you need is a touch of new paint to bring your kitchen to life. The best place to start is with the cabinets. After counters meet a person at eye level, cabinets aren’t far behind. With a slight tilt up of the head, you have another eye-catching staple in your kitchen. 

Replacing cabinets can be a lot of work and drive up remodeling costs. If the cabinets are in good shape, a new coat of paint should do the trick.  Cabinets protrude in the kitchen. Their presence will always catch a corner of the eye, even if you’re not looking at them. This might be your opportunity to add a pop of color. 

Upgrade Appliances

Just because you’re not moving appliances and fixtures doesn’t mean you shouldn’t update them. Getting new appliances will improve your workspace and increase the value of your St. Louis property. 

One of the most rewarding upgrades is the kitchen sink. New fixtures can really complement the other upgrades you are doing in the room. 

Choosing to get a new stove or refrigerator can make your energy use more efficient. Stainless steel appliances are still popular, as they are aesthetically timeless. Try matching a paint swatch at your local home improvement store today to your grandparent’s avocado-hued fridge from the 1960s. 

That said, cream and black appliances have grown in popularity this year. These trends complement the growing trends of light-colored backsplashes and natural stone countertops.

New Floors

Once you are done with all the painting and upgrading appliances, you might want to consider a new floor. Installing a new floor can liven up the kitchen greatly, including making the area look more spacious. 

Ceramic, stone, and porcelain tiles are among the most popular flooring options for kitchen in St. Louis. However, an increasing number of households have turned to wooden floors. If wooden floors are already installed, consider refinishing them to give your room an uplifting makeover.  When installing new floors, consider adding heating elements, as it’s the ideal opportunity to do so. Adding heating elements after the fact can be costly. 

Heated floors are the perfect way to keep your feet warm while cooking up holiday meals during the cooler St. Louis winter nights. 

However you decide to upgrade your kitchen, make sure you have a licensed professional to help you. Don’t risk turning an affordable project into a nightmare. Talk to a professional contractor in St. Louis like Mosby Building Arts for your kitchen remodel today!